FAQs and support

For the first time, the 2026 Census will ask everyone aged 16 and over about their gender and sexual orientation. We want to understand how LGBTQ+ people and households will respond, and how things like privacy, disclosure, or someone else filling out the Census might affect answers.

The government uses Census data to plan services, allocate funding, and make policy decisions. If questions don’t reflect how people identify, or if people feel unsafe answering, LGBTQ+ communities risk being undercounted and underfunded.

You can join if you are:

• 16 years or older
• Living in Australia
• And at least one of these applies:
  • You identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or another diverse sexual orientation
  • You identify as transgender, non-binary, or another diverse gender
  • You are a parent, caregiver, or adult who lives with and cares for an LGBTQ+ person
  • You have had sex in the past 12 months with someone of the same gender, or with a trans or non-binary person

About 10–15 minutes, depending on your answers.

No. You can skip questions or stop at any time by closing your browser.

No. We don’t offer payments or prizes. This helps protect anonymity and avoids needing to collect contact details from everyone.

Yes. We do not collect your name or contact details unless you choose to provide them for follow up. Any optional contact details are stored separately and cannot be linked to your answers.

• Responses are stored securely on UNSW servers.
• Only the research team has access.
• Results are reported in summary only.
• Data will be kept for at least 7 years, as required by university policy.

Yes. At the end of the survey, you can provide your email if you want to receive a plain-language summary.